FROM:
Finance
TITLE:
Preliminary Capital Improvement Program (CIP) 2025/2026-2031/2032
RECOMMENDATION:
Planning Commission adopt Resolution No. PC 2025-____, Finding the 2025/2026-2031/2032 Proposed Capital Improvement Program is exempt from CEQA and in Conformance with the City of Fontana General Plan and Recommending the City Council of the City of Fontana:
1. Determine that the CIP is exempt from CEQA pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) and direct staff to file a Notice of Exemption; and;
2. Recommend that the City Council adopt the Preliminary 2025/2026-2031/2032 CIP
APPLICANT:
City of Fontana
LOCATION:
Citywide (8353 Sierra)
REQUEST:
MCN25-0023: MIS25-0002 A request to adopt a resolution recommending that the City Council adopt the Preliminary 2025/2026-2031/2032 Capital Improvement Program, pursuant to a finding that the CIP is exempt from CEQA under Section 15061(b)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines and make a finding that the CIP is in conformance with the goals and policies of the City’s General Plan.
PROJECT PLANNER:
Hassnaa Rashad, Resource Budget Officer
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
A. Previous Approvals:
The City Council adopted the General Plan 2015-2035 on November 13, 2018, per Resolution No. 2018-097. The Preliminary Capital Improvement Program for Fiscal Years 2025/2026-2031/2032 is the 33rd annual CIP plan and is presented to the Planning Commission for consideration, as required by the City Council.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
Preliminary Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
ANALYSIS:
Staff requests that the Planning Commission determine the Preliminary Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for Fiscal Years 2025/2026-2031/2032 is consistent with the goals and policies of the General Plan.
The California Government Code, Section 65403 as noted in Fontana's adopted General Plan, requires that all capital projects must be consistent with the General Plan (Action No. E, Goal 2, page 16.14 of the General Plan):
Additionally, California Government Code, Section 66002 states in part:
“Any local agency which levies a fee subject to Section 66001 may adopt a capital improvement plan which shall indicate the approximate location, size, time of availability, and estimates of cost for all facilities or improvements to be financed with the fees."
Review of the Preliminary 2025/2026-2031/2032 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) is necessary for the Planning Commission to determine the relationship of planned improvements with various elements and implementation strategies of the General Plan, and thus determine its consistency.
The CIP provides an overview of major projects and sets the framework for action on each individual project. As a project nears implementation it will receive an individual review prior to its start.
The “Priority 1” projects within each of the CIP's ten categories of improvements (i.e. Streets, Traffic, Open Space & Recreation, Sewer, etc.) are presented for the Planning Commission's review and determination of consistency with the City's General Plan goals. These projects are ongoing or proposed to start in the forthcoming fiscal years 2025/26 or 2026/27 and are subject to the individual review and approval process including separate environmental review findings.
Projects with a start date beginning in July 2027 or after are “future projects” and are presented for informational purposes.
In addition, the seven-year CIP addresses the following goals of the adopted General Plan:
Chapter 9 - Community Mobility and Circulation
Goal 1: The City of Fontana has a comprehensive and balanced transportation system with safety and multimodal accessibility as the top priority of citywide transportation planning, as well as accommodating freight movement (page 9.18 of the General Plan).
CIP Program: The I-10 Cedar Interchange Project (No 37603058) consists of the reconstruction and widening of I-10 Cedar Avenue Interchange. The project is a cooperative project with SBCTA and County of San Bernardino. The construction is led by the County, and the City’s role is limited to project funding as defined in SBCTA’s Nexus Study. This project will relieve congestion, enhance safety, and improve traffic operations for the city.
Chapter 8 - Public and Community Services
Goal 3: Fontana has modern, well-maintained public facilities that meet the needs of residents of all ages, businesses, and government (page 8.10 of the General Plan).
CIP Program: The Citywide Storm Drain Repair Project (No. 37100002) would contribute to several well-maintained public facilities as it requires that repairs are made to existing failing storm drains based on priority, which will preserve and enhance the City’s infrastructure. Also, the City Hall Renovation Project PH2 (No. 37600012), which includes the reconstruction of City Hall, will provide an improved modern city hall facility.
Chapter 11 - Noise and Safety Element
Goal 1: Enhanced public safety and the protection of public and private property (page 11.3 of the General Plan).
CIP Program: The CIP includes the Westgate at Cherry Ave and Victoria Avenue Project (No 37600042), which consists of realigning Victoria Avenue east of I-15 Freeway to Cherry Avenue. Cherry Avenue will be widened to 3 lanes in each direction between SR-210 Freeway to Baseline Avenue. Improvements will also include storm drain installation, sewer, streetlights, sidewalks, center medians and bike lanes. This project will improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety.
The Preliminary CIP, forwarded under separate cover, was prepared with input directly from the responsible project organizations of Police, Public Works, Engineering, Development Services, Community Services, Information Technology, Housing, Administrative Services, and Finance.
Environmental:
The CIP is exempt from CEQA pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption). Section 15061(b)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines states that an activity is covered by the common sense exemption that CEQA only applies to project that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA review.
MOTION:
Adopt Resolution No. PC 2025-_____.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution
2. Notice of Exemption
3. Public Hearing Notice